Who will clean up at this year's International Telematics Awards?

Every year, the worlds' top automakers and automotive suppliers vie for a chance to take home an International Telematics Award. Last year, for example, the Audi 3G MMI system won in the navigation product category, and the BMW ConnectedDrive system won in the telematics service category. Meanwhile, the QNX CAR Application Platform took top honors in the telematics component category.

See a pattern here? That's right, all three are based on the QNX operating system.

As with 2010, so for 2011. QNX has again been shortlisted, this time in the infotainment solution category. Meanwhile, several QNX customers — including Audi, BMW, GM, Harman/Becker, and Hyundai — have also clinched finalist spots. (To see the complete list, click here.)

As a long-time QNXer, I don't know what pleases me more:  that QNX has been singled out for an award, or that QNX has again helped multiple customers make the shortlist.

Either way, I don't envy the competition judges: They have to choose between some very cool systems.